Safety Lead - JFB Technical Center - Golden Valley, MN

General Mills Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 82,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement program

Time off programs

Wellbeing support

Job summary

General Mills, Inc. in Golden Valley, MN, seeks a Safety Lead to coach the site on HSE standards, oversee ESMS and regulatory compliance across pilot plant, laboratory, and office spaces, and integrate Human and Organizational Performance practices with HSE processes.

The role focuses on mitigating Serious Injury and Fatality and Serious Environmental Incident risks, enabling operational learning, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance site safety and environmental performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Industrial Safety, or a related field.
• 5+ years of operations and/or HSE leadership experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and influencing skills.
• Flexibility to adjust hours and travel about 10%.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply computer applications and HSE systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Environment & Safety Management System (ESMS) and site HSE programs.
• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure required actions are implemented.
• Lead HSE self-assessments and track corrective action plans.
• Monitor performance against HSE and sustainability goals; report results.
• Support analysis of significant incidents and share learnings to prevent recurrence.
• Teach and coach Human and Organizational Performance principles across the facility.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Influencing

Learning agility

Digital tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Industrial Safety, or related field

Tools

HSE systems

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Safety Lead serves as a coach and advisor to the site, providing technical support for compliance with federal, state, local, and General Mills HSE standards and applicable regulations. This role oversees HSE systems across the site, including Pilot Plant, laboratory and office spaces, and integrates Human and Organizational Performance practices with HSE processes and metrics to influence how work is designed and performed. The Safety Lead manages critical safety and environmental risks, with particular focus on conditions that have Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) or Serious Environmental Incident (SEI) potential. The role provides tactical support for SIF and SEI prevention, strengthens leader and employee capability, and enables operational learning through effective risk identification, controls, and continuous improvement. Success in this role requires a collaborative leader who can build trust in a highly dynamic and complex environment and partner effectively with cross-functional teams. We are looking for an HSE professional who is passionate about leading safety differently, applying technology in the manufacturing space, and making a meaningful impact while continuing to grow their career at General Mills.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage the Environment & Safety Management System (ESMS) and manage site HSE programs, developing plans to maintain compliance.
• Monitor regulatory changes, evaluate their impact on the facility, and ensure required actions are implemented.
• Lead compliance assurance through frequent HSE self-assessments and track corrective action plans through completion.
• Monitor facility performance against HSE and sustainability goals and communicate results to the Site HSE Manager and Safety Committees.
• Report company-required HSE and sustainability metrics through required HSE reporting systems.
• Support completion and submission of required environmental reports, including air, water, wastewater, and waste reporting.
• Engage with the workforce to understand and manage critical safety and environmental risks, and implement controls that protect people and the environment.
• Identify and evaluate safety and environmental risks associated with new chemicals, products, processes, and equipment changes.
• Participate in change and project management activities—including relocations, modifications, equipment safety assessments, and decommissioning to identify and manage critical risks.
• Support the analysis of significant incidents, including fires, chemical releases, fatalities, and severe or multiple injuries; follow up on corrective actions and share learnings to prevent recurrence.
• Lead operational learning teams related to significant safety and environmental incidents.
• Teach and coach Human and Organizational Performance principles across the facility.
• Mentor employees and leaders and build capability in safety and environmental practices.
• Collaborate with Learning and Development and the HSE Manager to develop training content, plans, documentation, and tracking processes.
• Partner with business functions and participate in special projects to advance site HSE performance.
• Provide support during regulatory inspections and respond to regulatory or community complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Industrial Safety, or a related field with 5+ years of operations and/or HSE leadership experience
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and influencing skills, including the ability to engage employees at all levels, partner cross-functionally, navigate difficult conversations, and resolve conflict constructively
• Experience managing safety management systems and site-level HSE programs
• Willingness to flex the standard work hours based on business needs, operational demands, and site activity with around 10% travel
• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple levels of individuals in writing and verbally
• Technical proficiency and learning agility, with the ability to quickly learn and apply computer applications, digital tools, and site HSE systems

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• HSE certification (multiple certification options) or equivalent professional credential, combined with relevant experience
• Experience working directly in a manufacturing and/or R&D environment
• Environmental management experience
• Experience in food and beverage manufacturing or a related regulated manufacturing environment
• Comfort and willingness to utilize AI to help drive efficiencies and more productive outcomes

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

This role is based on Golden Valley, MN, and will not consider remote work applications. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas. International relocation or international remote working arrangements outside of the United States will not be considered. This role may require schedule flexibility based on business needs.

SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this position is: $82,400 - $123,800 Annual. At General Mills we strive for each employee's pay at any point in their career to reflect their experiences performance and skills for their current role. The salary range for this role represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, educations, skills, work experience, certifications, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

BENEFITS

• health benefits
• retirement and financial wellbeing
• time off programs
• wellbeing support and perks
• annual incentive program
• incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

New possibilities. Bold thinking. Real heart. Build remarkable brands with remarkable people. At General Mills, we make food the world loves. Across 100+ markets, we come together to create, innovate and grow. Here, you’ll do meaningful work and help to lead the future of food at a company that stands for good. Watch with captions in other languages here.